New York City Kids Weekend Events for August 7-9: Free Movies, Dragon Boat Festival, Yo-Yos, Music, Dance and More

8/7/09 - By Anna Fader

While you may be reminiscing about your misspent youth and favorite teen films due to the death of John Hughes, you can enjoy more childhood movie memories like The Wiz and The Muppet Movie as free outdoor movies this weekend. But we recommend you try to get to the Dragon Boat Festival or enjoy the first weekend of Summer Streets too. There's lots more free activities to do this weekend too form street fairs to dance performances and some great nature activities right here in the city. Enjoy!

Also New Jersey Events or Long Island Events for more things to do this weekend.

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MANHATTAN

Summer Streets
Park Avenue (and Connecting Streets from Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park)
Saturday August 8, 15 and 22, 7am-1pm
FREE

Ride your bikes, scooter or just walk car-free all the way from Brooklyn to Central Park or any part in between. Or hit the Family Rest Stop at 51st St. for free kids classes and a Kids Zone.

Henry Hudson and Half Moon Family Concert
Museum of City of New York
Saturday, August 8th, 2pm
Free with Museum Admission (Adults $10, kids 12 and under, free)

Celebrate 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's discovery of the Hudson River with songs telling the story the tale plus Dutch maritime songs. While you're there you can check out the other exhibits, like Manahatta (the development of Manhattan) and the antique toys.

International Yo-Yo Open
South Street Seaport
Saturday, August 8 11:30-5:30
FREE

This might be worth a quick drop-in on your way to the Water Taxi Beach or something. Check out the top yo-yo-ers showing off yo-yo skills like the Brain Twister, Eiffel Tower, Tidal Wave and others. THere will also be live music, including Japanese punk band Peelander-Zand and beatboxer, Adam Matta.

QUEENS

Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival
Flushing Meadows Park
Saturday, August 8-Sunday August 9th, 9am-5pm
FREE (rain or shine)

Chinese and multicultural festival featuring Lion and Dragon Dancers, Shaolin warrior monks, lots of cool live music, a tent with traditional Chinese arts and crafts///oh and Dragon Boat Races!

Steinway Street Summerfest
Sunday, August 9th, 11am-6pm
Steinway St between 28th Avenue and Broadway, Astoria, Queens
FREE (Except to buy things)

This huge street fair has pony rides, kiddie rides and food.

BROOKLYN

Brooklyn Children's Museum Beat Street
Brooklyn Children's Museum
Friday, August 7th, 5-7:30pm
FREE

Once again, the Brooklyn Children's Museum will be open and free on Friday from 5-7:30 and offering short movies and tap dancing as well as exhibits and arts. The kids cafe will be open for dinner.

Putumayo Kids Picnic and Playground
Carroll Park
Saturday, August 8, 3:30-5:30pm
FREE

World music from 4-5, games and food from 3:30-5:30.

STATEN ISLAND

Historic Richmond Town Community Day
Historic Richmond Town
Sunday, August 9th, 11am-5pm
FREE

Experience the daily activities of early New Yorkers: baking and cooking in the open-hearth kitchen, basket-weaving, carpentry, spinning, and weaving.

Butterfly Safari
Silver Lake Park
Sunday, August 9, 2009, 11:00 a.m.

Look for various butterflies, including migrating Monarch butterflies. Also learn how to safely capture, study, and release these beautiful creatures. Nets and field guides will be provided; bring a camera and a snack, if you’d like.

BRONX

Wildflower Hike
Van Cortlandt Park
Saturday, August 8, 2009, 11:00 a.m.
FREE

Discover wildflowers and learn o ID the varieties that grow in the park.

Dancing in the Streets: Hip Hop Generation Next
St Mary's Park
Sunday, August 9, 4pm-6:30pm
FREE

Watch and learn the newest hip hop dance moves with gravity defy-ng spins, dives, flips and licks plus DJs, and beatboxers.